Aircraft



May 6, 1930. MULZ R 1,757,918

AIRCRAFT Filed Nov. 2, 1927 5%a/s wk ATTO R N EY Patented May 6, 193%STAT CHARLES J. MULZER, OF EVANSTON, INDIANA AIRCRAFT Application filedNovember 2, 1927.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in air crafts andmore particularly to a buoyanting equipment for an air craft, and hasfor its principal object the pro- 5 vision of an improved constructionof this character which will be highly efficient in use and economicalin manufacture.

Among the several objects of this invention is to equip an air craftwith buoyanting elemerits whereby should the air craft find it necessaryto land upon a body of water the elements will function to retain theair craft in floating position and to accomplish the many objects ofthis invention particular attention has been directed to the location ofsaid elements whereby by reason of heavy seas the elements will functionto not only keep the air craft floating but also neutralize the same.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of partsto be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by 5 reference to the accompanyingdrawings,

showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an air craft embodied in the invention;

Fig.2 is a front elevational view of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the same.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, an air craft is indicated at10. This air craft includes a body 11 and the usual planes 12 and 13.The body 11 in the present instance is provided with a buoyantingelement. This buoyanting element is indicated at 14; and is preferablyformed of such material as will not sink when placed upon a body ofwater and this element may be and is preferably treated with an agentwhich will prevent deterioration by water.

This element is in the form of a collar and 5 is mounted to embrace thebody 11 to the rear of the pit 15. It is obvious that this element 14may be forwardly of the pit 15 should conditions permit such positioningof said element. To the plane 13 which in the present instance is thelower plane of the air craft Serial No. 230,600.

there is mounted on the under side thereof a second buoyanting element16. This element 16 is formed of substantially the same material as theelement 14 and extends completely across the under surface of the plane13 and is secured thereto by means of bands or strips 17. The edges 18of this element 16 are beveled as shown in the drawing whereby toeliminate square edges which would interfere with the movement of theair craft by action against the wind. The edges 19 of the ele ment 14are likewise beveled for substantially the same purpose. By extendingthe element 16 completely over the under surface of the plane 13 it willbe manifest that the buoyanting action of the element 16 is equallydistributed and thereby will function to retain the plane substantiallyneutralized when in rough seas. The element 14 functions primarily tobuoy the tail end of the plane and this element may be of such thicknessas to sufficiently dispose this tail end above the water.

The rudders of the plane are indicated at 20 and the under surface ofthese rudders have likewise mounted thereagainst buoyanting elements 22formed in substantially the same manner as the elements 14 and 16. Theseelements are secured to the rudders by means of bands or strips 23 andlikewise have their edges 24 beveled so as not to interfere with strongwinds.

From the description herein taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing it will be manifest that by providing the water engaging portionof an air craft with solid buoyanting elements that an air craft isprovided which will assure substantial safety to the operators thereofwhen traveling over a body of water and when finding it necessary toland upon the water.

WVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification, without departing from the spirit of theinvention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appendedclaim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is In an air craft, a fuselage, Wings arrangedadjacent the forward end of said fuselage, tail Wings at the rear end ofsaid fuselage, sections of buoyant material adapted to be dis posed onthe under side of said Wings to substantially cover the area thereof,means for securing said sections of buoyant material to the under sideof the Wings, and a collar of buoyant material arranged on said fuselageadjacent and to the rear of the cock-pit in said fuselage.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES J. MULZER.

